Description

Bates Kimberley 17.5″ Adjustable CAIR Leather Stock Saddle – Black

When you’re spending long hours in the saddle—whether navigating rough trails, handling stock work, or riding endurance—rider balance, security, and horse comfort are essential. The Bates Kimberley Stock Saddle is widely celebrated as the pinnacle of luxury, high-performance stock saddles. Handcrafted from top-grade, hand-oiled Heritage Leather, it features high-density poley knee pads and an ultra-deep, multi-layered cushioned seat that keeps you securely centered over any terrain without restricting your movement.

At Best Horse Saddle Shop, our workshop team hand-inspects every pre-owned saddle before listing. This 17.5″ Bates Kimberley is in Grade 4 condition—showing honest, moderate cosmetic wear on both flaps from regular riding, but remaining 100% structurally sound with a solid tree, supple leather, and fully functioning CAIR air panels. Currently fitted with a Wide (W) gullet bar, it offers an incredible savings of over 50% off full retail!

Quick Specs

• Brand: Bates Saddles

• Model: Kimberley Standard Flap

• Seat Size: 17.5″ (Stock Saddle Deep Seat)

• Color: Black

• Material: Hand-Oiled Heritage Leather

• Tree Type: ElastiFlex Tree

• Panel Type: CAIR Cushion System (Air Panels)

• Adjustability: Easy-Change Gullet System (Narrow to Extra-Wide)

• Currently Fitted With: Wide (W) Gullet Bar

• Wither Profile: Standard Wither / Average Back Profile

• Discipline: Stock Work / Trail Riding / Endurance / Western / Leisure

• Flap Type: Traditional Dual Flap with Stock Stirrup Bars (20″ Flap Length)

• Girthing: Running Y-Girthing System

• Condition: Pre-Owned (Grade 4 — Good Used Condition)

Superior Rider Security & Equine Ergonomics

The Bates Kimberley brings together traditional Australian stock security and modern precision fitting:

• Deep Seat & Heritage Leather: Crafted from soft, grippy Heritage Leather that offers instant stability and breaks in beautifully. The deep seat and high-density poley pads keep you centered and balanced through sudden stops, sharp turns, or steep inclines.

• CAIR Cushion System: Air-filled panels continuously adapt to your horse’s working back muscles, eliminating high-pressure spots and distributing rider weight evenly for maximum comfort over long distances.

• Easy-Change Fit Solution: Built on the flexible ElastiFlex tree, allowing your fitter to change the gullet width from Narrow to Extra-Wide (N to XW) as your horse’s condition, fitness, or seasonal shape changes.

• Running Y-Girthing System: Anchors the saddle securely across the horse’s back to prevent slipping or rocking without requiring over-tightening.

Condition Report & Pricing

Grade 4 — Good Used Condition

This saddle has been well used and enjoyed, remaining 100% structurally sound with expected cosmetic signs of prior use:

• Flaps & Leather: Good, supple Heritage Leather throughout with moderate stirrup leather wear and rub marks on both flaps.

• Cosmetics & Billets: Minor surface marks consistent with regular riding and careful maintenance.

• Hardware, Tree & CAIR Panels: The ElastiFlex tree, Y-girthing billets, stitching, and CAIR air panels are solid, intact, and in sound working condition.

• Original Retail Price (RRP): $2,700.00

• Best Horse Saddle Shop Price: $1,300.00 (Save over $1,400 on a top-tier leather stock saddle!)

We encourage you to review all high-resolution detail photos for a complete assessment of its cosmetic appearance.

Worldwide Shipping, UK & USA Trial Options

We ship quality stock and trail saddles directly to riders across the UK, USA, Europe, and Australia, providing full courier tracking on every dispatch.

• UK Mainland Buyers: Take advantage of our 5-Day UK Mainland Trial Option—giving your qualified saddle fitter time to evaluate the saddle on your horse before you make your final commitment.

• USA Buyers: Take advantage of our 5-Day USA Saddle Trial Option—giving you and your local fitter time to assess the fit and feel on your horse once delivered.

• International Orders (EU & AU): Shipped directly with full overseas tracking. Note: Please check all measurements and consult your local fitter prior to ordering, as international trial terms differ by destination.

Warranty & Peace of Mind

Bates Manufacturer & Best Horse Saddle Shop Warranties

This saddle retains coverage under Bates’ 10-Year Tree Warranty against tree breakage (and 2-year materials warranty from original purchase) alongside our Best Horse Saddle Shop 6-Month Soundness Warranty. Every tree, billet point, and seam is workshop-inspected before listing so you can head out on the trail or station with total peace of mind.

(Note: Coverage applies to structural soundness under standard care and excludes damage caused by accidents, neglect, improper storage, or unauthorized modifications.)

Need Fitting Guidance or Have Questions?

Want to check if the 17.5″ seat or current Wide (W) gullet bar will suit your horse’s back profile before placing your order? We’re here to help!

Send us photos or templates of your horse standing flat on level ground—our fitting specialists will gladly evaluate your setup and guide your choice.